Closure strip



p 13, 1932- R. D. FITZGERALD 1,877,448

CLOSURE STRIP Filed March 16, 1931 Patented Sept. 13, 1932 RAL1=HVD.;FITZGERALD, 0E, NEW KEN'S ITGF ONl PENNSYLVANIA;

CLOSURE s'r IP Application fi led March 16,

My invention relates to a closure strip, and while primarily intendedfor-use in connection with-doors, windows, shutters, and the like, forrendering such closure elements .25 noiseless in operation, weather anddust proof,

itwill be obvious that the device may be employed with-other typesofstructures, and for any other purposes wherein it is found to beapplicable. I V Important objects of the invention are to provide aclosure strip-of the charactendescribed, which may be readily installedto any type of closure element already erected as well as form acomponent part of a new structure, which embodies a replaceable andresilient cushioning member, which is simple in its construction andarrangement, durable and eflicient inits use, compact, attractive inappearance, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, install andmaintain.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription pro ceeds, the invention-consists of the combination andarrangement of parts and in the 7 details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the invention hereindisclosed can be made within the scopeof the claims hereunto appended without de-' parting from the spiritofthe invention.

In thedrawing wherein like numerals of reference 1 designatecorresponding parts throughout theseveral views:

Figure 1 is a transverse cross sectional view of my improved closurestrip and of associated'closure elements, the latter being broken away.

Figures 2 and 3 are, respectively, front and perspective views of thedevice.

F igurest and 5 are, respectively, inner edge and end views of a cornermember embodying the present invention.

Figure 6 is a transverse cross sectional view of the device embodying amodified form of cushioning member, and illustrating its adaptation withmetallic closure elements.

Referring in detail to Figure 1 of the drawing, the invention is thereinillustrated as embodied in a wooden door structure of the usualconstruction. Thedoor structure in- 1931. Serial no. 522,855.

cludes a door l'and one of the upright mem} bers 2 of the associateddoor frame.

My improved closurestrip comprises an elongatedbody portion 3, and whileprefer ably constructed from metal, it willbeapparentthat'the same'maybe formed'from any other suitable material. The body-portion 3* isformedwith achannel extending longi tudinally along theinner edge andthroughout the entire length of the formerwkjT-he channel 4; isopenatitsinner side,as -at-5, is. mainly disposed'at thefront sideof the bodyportion 3, and is somewhatmore than semi cylindrical in transverse crosssection,

Thefront sideof the'body portion 3- is providedwith a pair ofreenforcing ribs, 'respec' tively indicatedat 6 and 7 The rib 6 is com-'paratively narrow and-disposed on theoute-r edge margin of thebodyportionfi. The-rib T-is relatively=wide and disposedcontiguous tothe channel-4. The ribs6 and 7 are-preferably of uniform thicknesses,and in conj unction with the channel 4, establish the required rigidityof the body portion 3.

The bodyportion 3, when employed-in a door-structure, as illustratedinthedrawing, extends vertically against eachof the upright. members 2 andhorizontally against the head member of the door frame, and replaces theordinary wood j oint strip now commonly.

used inwood door structures for-limitingthe closing movementof'theassociateddoor, and for closing the oint aroundthelatter in thedoorframe. I f '7 a The body portion3 issecured in positionlto thedoorwframe by a plurality of screws 8, i

which are engaged in spaced countersunk apertures 9 providedtherefor inthewide'; rib Tofthe body portion.

"The back side lO"of'the1body portion 3, is flat andeXtends-Ion an evenplane-throughoijit its; area, with theexceptionofl a sharpiseate .ingridge 1"l,which is disposed adjacent to the channel '4 and extendslongitudinally throughout the length of theibody portion 3.

door fnamei members, thereby providing a j-uncturebetweenthe latter andthe body-por tion 3 that is impervious to the passage of air or anyextraneous matter.

Corner members 12,, having a transverse cross sectional contouridentical to the body portion 3 and likewise secured to the uppercorners of the door frame by screws, are provided for establishing,continuitybetween the upper ends of thebody portions 3 secured to theupright members of the door frame and respective ends of the bodyportion 3 secured to the head'nie'niber of the-door frame.

' A tubular, cylindrical cushioning member 13, preferably constructedfrom soft rubber,

is mountedin the channel 4:,andextends throughout the lengths "of thebody portion units and corner members 12employed 1n the door structure.'The cushioning member 13,

being tubular and constructed from soft rub- I her, is susceptible ofsufficient distortion to allow the same to be forced into and from thechannel 1 through the opening 5 at the inner side. of the latter. I

The inner side of the cushioning member 13 projects through the opening5 in the 1 channel 4, as clearly shown in Figure 1. This projectingportion of the cushioning member 13 provides the abutment engaging theside and top edgemargins of the door 1 when the latter is in the closedposition.

' As the cushioningmember 13 is inherently resilient, and; the channel4t hassomewhat more than a semi-cylindrical configuration,

7 the former, when forced into the channel 4,

fwill securely grip the latter 'and maintain.

itself in position until forcibly removed for replacement or forIanyother'purpose required.

An important advantage in the use of my improved closure strip, is thatit will render;

the closing of doors absolutely noiseless, whereby its installation, toall doors of homes, public buildings, hospitals or votherinstitutions,is invaluable in obviating the incessant V V slammingof door so'annoyingto the occu- V pants ofzthe buildings. Further, owing to v theflexibility of the tubular cushioning member l3,the associated door willclosely engage same, and thereby provide a closure joint that is dust,weather, and almost sound proof.

' Figure 6 illustrates the adaptation of the present invention to ametal door structure,

which includes the door.14= and the frame member15. In securing the bodyportion 3 to the metalframemember15, a filling strip 16, constructedfrom rubber or any other suitable-material, is interposed between theback of'the body portion 3 iand'the frame member 15 to compensate forthe seating ridge 11,

whichjof course, cannot be forcedinto the metal frame member 15; Thefilling strip 16,

however, providesran effective weather proof joint betweentheilbodyportion 3 and the metalframemember15. v r Aymodified'form ofthecushioning member isshowninthe embodimentof the 1111 6111; -:2

for the purposes intended than the tubular cushioning member 13 embodiedin the preferred form of the device.

While the configuration of the body portion 3 herein illustrated anddescribed is thought to bethe best embodiment thereof, it is evidentthat the contour ofthe body portion may be widelyvaried to best meetconditions found in practice, without departing of the invention. v, 1,r The present invention provides a most efficient device of its kind,which can be economically manufactured and installed in any type fromthe spirit.-

of closure element to; render the latter sound,

dust, and weather proof; vVhat Iiclaim is v 1. In combination, a closurestripof. the character described, comprising an elongated body portionconstructed from metaland being provided with a channel extending alonging element being removably mounted in said channel and projectingfrom'oneside of the latter throughout its length, and aseating 1 oneside edge thereof, a cylindrical .cushion.- I

ridge formed on the backside of said body portion and extendingthroughout the length of the latter. I e

2. In combination, a closure stripiof the character described,comprising a elongated body portion constructed from metaland be-} ingprovided with a channel extendingalong one side edge thereof, acylindricaltubul'ar cushioning elementbeing removably mounted in saidchannel and projectingfrom one side of the latter throughout its length,a seating ridge formed on the back side of said body portion andextending throughout the length of: the latter,-the frontside of saidbody portion beingformed to provide a pair of reenforcing ribs. 7

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature RALPH D. FITZGERALD.

